The study of the rules, standards, and values that govern the procedures used in civil cases in the federal district courts of the United States. Drawing from constitutional and statutory texts, and emphasizing the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the course covers civil litigation issues including: jurisdiction, choice of law, venue, pleadings, discovery, pre-trial motions, trial through judgment, joinder of parties and claims, and finality of judgments. The course also constitutes an introduction to legal strategy and the professional responsibility of lawyers in representing their clients. (Two-semester course; 6 units)